Respirator



June 1, 1943.

H. s. COVER 2,320,770 l REsrIRAToR -Filed Dec. l2o, 19:40 s sheets-sheet 1 June l, 1943.y

- H. s. covER l 2,320,770

REsPIRAToR 'Filed-Dec. 20, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Jupe -1, 1943. H. s. COVER l 2,320,770

RESPIRATOR Filed Dec. 20, 1940 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Patented June l, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RESPIRATOR Harvey S. Cover, South Eend, Ind.

Application December Z0, 1940, Serial No. 370,913

(Cl. 12S- 146) 11 Claims'.

My inventions relate to improvements in respirators and more specifically relate to means for attaching lters to respirators, and in general, have for their object, the production of an improved device to be used in protecting the user from dust, smoke and noxious gases of various kinds. v

This application is a continuation, in part, of an application, Serial No. 269,643, filed by me April 24, 1939.

The inventions involve novel and improved attaching means for attaching the filter element of a respirator to the respirator so that the filters are removable and renewable. The means provided may be operated from the outside by flexing the fabric.

The inventions have the advantage that if one part of a respirator is damaged the whole respirator need not be thrown away, which would be the case if the parts were permanently fastened together, but instead, the damaged part may be conveniently replaced.

A still further object is the provision of means of a character which may easily be handled by the inexperienced user for quick and easy replacement and adjustment. t By means of my inventions the filters may not only be removed or renewed easily but may be easily and conveniently adjusted to any position desired. At the same time there is the further advantage of an effective jointure between the filter element and the face piece, eliminating any danger of leaks, etc.

A still further object, among others, is the provision of a device of the character described which is easy of assembly and application and which is relatively inexpensivein cost of manufacture in addition to its efliciency.

Other objects and advantages will be more apparent hereinafter.

My invention may be best understood by reference to the following drawings in which:

Fig. l is a side elevation of a respirator showf ing a filter attached and embodying the principle of my invention;

Fig. 2 is a horizontal section taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1;

,y Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a view substantially similar to that of Fig. 2 showing some of the parts exploded;

. Fig. 5 is an elevation of the left filter element Fig. 6 is an elevation View of the right-hand filter element with the clamping ring inserted;

Fig. 'l is a face view of the clamping ring;

Fig. 8 is a rear view of the clamping ring;

Fig. 9 is a view of the clamping ring takenon the line 9-9 of Fig. 7:

Fig. 10 is a view of the clamping ring partly in section taken on the line lll-I0 of Fig. l8;

Fig. 11 is a face view of the threaded flanged locking cap;

Fig. 12 is a rear View of the same;

Fig. 13 is a view of the line |3-I3 taken on the Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 is a view taken on the line I4-I4 of Fig. 12;

The foregoing figures relate to the preferred form of my invention. The following flguresrelate to a modified form of my invention as follows:

Fig. l5 is a horizontal view showing a body portion connected to a lter element and showing the clamping ring and threaded flanged locking cap for connecting the filter tothe body portion. This view could be taken on the line like 2-2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 16 is a vertical section taken on the line Iii- I6 of Fig. 15; y

Fig. 17 is a view substantially similar to that of Fig. except that some of the parts are shown exploded;

Fig. 18 is an elevation of the right-hand filter partly broken away with the clamping ring shown in position;

Fig. 19 is a view of the lug element of the clamping ring before the lugs are bent to nal form;

Fig. 20 is a View of the lug element of the clamping ring with the clamping lugs bent on the ring;

Fig. 21 is a section takenv on the line '2i- 2i of Fig. 20;

Fig. 22 is a face view of the threaded Vfelt connecting ring;

Fig. 23 is a view taken on the line 23-23 of Fig. 22.

Fig. 24 is a rear view of the threaded felt con necting ring;

Fig. 25 is a plan view of the threaded felt connecting ring and the lug element assembled into the clamping ring;

Fig. 26 is a side View of the same. I

Fig. 27 is a face view'of the threaded flanged locking cap and valve; y

Fig. 28 is a side view of the same parallel in section;

Fig. 29 is a rear view of the Valve frame and valve shown within the threaded flanged locking cap.

The preferred form of my invention which has been selected to illustrate the principle Lof said invention includes a respirator body provided with cut-outs 36 to accommodate the noses of the wearer. The cut-outs 36 are particularly shown, the respirator being reversible.

The body 33 is provid-ed with an exhaust bulbous valve housing 31 with exhaust openings '38 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Located in the housing there is shown a valve seat 39 which may be oval and the seat may be provided with a flange 40. The valve seat 39 is retained in place as shown in Figs. 2 and. 3 by shoulders 4| and 42.v The valve seat 39 may be concaved as at 43 and provided with openings 44. The valve seat 39 may be provided around the openings 44 with sharp flared edges 45 so that there is only a minimum of contact between the valve and the valve seat to eliminate any tendency there might be for the valve to stick to the seat. The valve 46 may be attached to the seat by means of posts 41 shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The exhaust valve is normally closed to seal off tightly the outside air and at the same time has a sensitive action to meet the needs of respiration.

The body portion 35 has an integral right wall 48 and an integral left wall 49 each provided with openings 59.' r

The foregoing has been fully described and set forth in my application, Ser. No. 269,643led April 24, 1939, and in other previous applications filed by me. The invention of the present application more particularly resides in the means for associating the body portion with the lter elements as will be described hereinafter. Adapted to be secured to each of the walls 48 and 49is a lter element. A anged threaded locking cap 5I' is adapted to t into one of the openings 50, the locking cap having an opening 52 and a threaded portion 53 clearly illustrated in` Figs. 11 to 14. This flanged threaded locking cap 5| -is an integral element, and in the preferred form has been made of a well-known plastic substance known as Tenite, but it will be understoodthat other substances such as Bakelite, rubber, metal or other substances, may be used. The flanged threaded locking cap 5| is adapted to have a threaded portion 53 extend through one of the openings 50 in one of the walls of the body portion and each cap is adapted to be used to lock the filter element to the body portion. Each cap is adapted to be used in combination with one vof a pair of filter elements, either a right hand lter element 54 or a left hand filter element 55 as shown in Fig. 2.

The right hand filter element may be made from a blank 56 in which blank the wool side is shown'as distinguished from the cotton side of the blank. As shown in Fig. 5, the left hand filter element 55 may be made from a blank 58. Referring to the right hand blank 56 shown in Fig. 6, there is provided a hole 51 and the blank 58 has a hole 59. These blanks 56 and 58 are preferably made in rectangular -form and this, in addition to other advantages, has the advantage of practically eliminating waste of material, as practically all`of the felt may be used, whereas if the blanksgare made in circular or disk like form, it is; manifest that there would be a great waste of material. In addition, as will be seen, there is also the advantage that by making the blanks rectangular they may be folded and eliminate the need for sewing one of. the sides, thus reducing the labor necessary besides providing va side` of the filter element,

in the blanks. The washers may be sewn as at |59v and may be otherwise secured to the blanks or left unattached. The washer is preferably attached exteriorly of the filter element for convenience so as to lie between the filter element and the body when in use. Although it is which is perfectly eicient for filtering and has n Vother advantages which will be more apparent.

not necessary to employ the washer, the washer has been found highly advantageous in respect of making a convenient air-tight seal.

'y As shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the l"blank 58 may be 'doubled in the course of manufacture with the cotton side 65 outside forming a folded edge 10. "The edges 69 may then be sewed together as at 1| and the edges 62 and 63 may be sewn" together as at-12 leaving an opening 13 only between the unsewn edges 6|. This is illustrated innige. m 1 L' After two pairs of opposite'edges have beeri' sewed together the lter element may be pulled inside out to the final form shown in Fig.' 5. This construction has the advantage that when the ,filter element is turned inside out the seams' and1folds cause the bag to assume afshapejand y'curvature shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4 and tend to keep the sides of the bags apart withoutthe aid of an additional spacing element. ,Three sides of each lterelement are always exedsoas to cause the filter element to remainbulged out. j 2,' Adapted to cooperate with the flanged threaded locking cap 5I is a clamping ring 15,'as shown in Figs. 2, 7, 8, 9 and 10. n The clamping ring 15 is preferably made, of Tenite but may be made of other substances as.w stated -in connection with the threaded flanged locking cap 5|. In its preferred form it is profvided with a flange 16, an internally threaded hubv portion 11, lugs 1S andan opening 19. It will be understood that in the process of molding such a device out of Tenite, a space may be formed between the flange 16 and the lugs 18 by, sawing or by other means so as to provide lugs 18. The hub 11 may be inserted through l.the openings 51 or 59 of the felt and 68 in the washer 67..v The felt and washer 61 are adapted to be, 'posi'iv tioned between the ange 16 and the`lu'g'ss18 around the hub 11 as illustrated `in"'Figs;2, 6v and 18. The filter elements are adapted to bejunitecl tothe body portion by inserting the flange of the anged threaded locking cap 5| through .ne.Qf the openings 59 of the side walls of the bodyiortion and screwing the hub portion andthe threaded flanged locking cap 5| into thehub portion 11 of the clamping ring 1 5. It would be under# stood that there may be two filter units and a set of clamping elements for each' filtenunit to connect the lter unit or element to the wall of the respirator. t As' shown in Figs. 2, 11, 12, 13 and 14, rhve shown a valve frame and retaining means i tegrally formed into the threaded flanged lock: ing cap Vtil. `This means consists of a circular flange S9 which may be Vconcaved as shown at 8| in Fig. 14 and there is. also integrally formed a centrally concaved rib '82 to support an integral stud 83 having a reduced portion 84 and a flattened head S for retaining a valve 86. The arrangement of the rib 82 functions to provide a pair of valve openings 01. This valve may be added to the threaded anged locking cap 5|, if desired, to provide a valve in the filtering means or, if desired, the threaded flanged locking cap 5| may be formed without the valve arrangement.

In the form of my invention shown in Figs. to 29, both inclusive, I have shown a modified form of means for associating the filter element with the body portion, This modified form is the same as the means shown in my application, Serial No. 269.643, filed April 24, 1939, except that I have added an inhale valve as will be apparent hereinafter. With regard to this modified form, I have provided a flanged threaded locking cap 88 having an opening 8S and a threaded portion 90, as clearly illustrated in Figs. 27 and 28. In this form the anged threaded locking cap Biiv may be made of metal or other material. The anged threaded locking cap 88 is adapted to have its threaded portion 90 extend through one of the openings 59 of one of the walls of the body portion and eachcap is adapted to be used to lock a lter element to the body portion. Each cap, as stated hereinbefore, is adapted to be used in combination with one of a pair of filter elements, to wit, either a right hand filter element 54 or a left hand element 55.

Adapted to cooperate with the cap 88 is a clamping ring 9| which is preferably of metal in the modified form and illustrated in Figs. 19 to 26, inclusive. This clamping ring 9| comprises two elements, one a lug eiement 9L and a threaded felt connecting ring 93. The lug element has an opening Q4 and lugs 95 for clamping the threaded felt connecting ring 93 to the lug element 92 to form the clamping ring 9| which has an outer face 99 adapted to have the lugs 95 clamped against it and an inner face 91 adapted to abut the lug element 92.. The threaded felt connecting ring 93 has a threaded hub 98 having an opening 99. As illustrated in Figs. and 25, the lugs 95 may be bent against the face 95 to clamp the threaded felt connecting ring 93 against the lug element 92. The hub 98 is adapted to be inserted through the openings 51 or 59 of the felt as the case may be and the opening 68 of the washer 69. The felt and washer 59 are adapted to be positioned around the hub 98 and under the felt clamping lugs 95A as illustrated in Fig. 18.

The filter elements are adapted to be united to the body portion in the modified form by inserting the flanged threaded locking cap 88 through one of the openings 50 of the side walls of the body portion and then into the threaded hub 98 and screwing the parts together as in the preferred form. As stated, the foregoing modified means for associating the filter elements with the body portion of the respirator were shown in the previous application specifically mentioned and is the same as that shown in said application, excepting that I have added an inlet valve.

As shown in Figs. 15, 17, 27, 28- and 29, I have shown a flanged valve frame |00 pressed tightly into the threaded flanged locking cap 88 and crimped therein as shown at |0|. This valve frame |90 consists of a cylindrical portion |02 and a flange |03 perpendicular thereto which may be concaved as at |04. The valve frame |00 has an integrally formed central rib |05 having a stud V|06 having. a reduced portion |01 for retainingV the' valve iiap |00 and an enlarged head portion |09 for retaining the valve on the stud, the rib forming openings ||0. The opening in the valve flap |08 is preferably smaller than the reduced portion |01 of the stud y|116 and it will be readily understood that the valve may be pressed down over the reduced'head until the valve seats. around the reduced portion, when it will be retained on the shank. It will be understood that if the opening in the valve is smaller than the reduced portion, the valve will tend to lie more effectively on the valve seat. i

While I have illustrated and described the preferred form of construction for carrying my invention into eect, this is capable of variation and modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I, therefore, do not wish to be limited to the precise details of construction set forth, but desire to avail' myself of such variation and modifications as come within the' scope ofthe appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. In a respirator, means for attaching a filter element of a respirator to the body portion, said means including a clamping ring provided with integral means for clamping a filter element to the clamping ringV and a locking cap adapted toextend through an aperture in the Wall of the body portion of the respirator and engage With the clamping ring to lock the lter element to the body portion of the respirator.

2. `In arespirator, means for attaching a lter element rof a respirator'to the body portion,'said means including a clamping ring With a hub adapted to extend through an opening in the filter element and to clamp thev filter element, said clamping ring being provided with lugs for clamping and retaining the filter element to the clamping ring, a looking cap having a hub adapted to extend through an aperture in the wall of the body portion and engage with the clamping ring to lock the filter element to the body portion of the respirator.

3. In a respirator, means for attaching a filter element of a respirator to the body portion, said means including a clamping ring with a hub adapted to extend through an opening in the filter element and to clamp the lter element, said clamping ring being provided with integral lugs for clamping and retaining the ilter element to the clamping ring, a locking cap having a hub adapted to extend through an aperture in the wall of the body portion and engage with the clamping ring to lock the filter element to the body portion of the respirator.

4. In a respirator, means for attaching a filter element of a respirator to the body portion, said means including a clamping ring provided with lugs for receiving and clamping a lter element to the clamping ring, a locking cap adapted to extend through an aperture in the Wall of the body portion of the respirator and engage With the clamping ring to lock the lter element to the body portion of the respirator.

5. In a respirator, means for attaching the filter element of a respirator to the body portion, said means including a clamping ring provided with integral lugs for receiving and clamping a filter element to the clamping ring, a 'locking cap adapted to extend through an aperture in the Wall of the body portion of the respirator and engage with the clamping ring to lock the filter element to the body portion of the respirator.

6. In a respirator, means for attaching a lter element of a respirator to the body portion, said means including a clamping ring including a felt connecting ring having a hub adapted to extend through an opening in the filter element and a lug element adapted to be secured to the felt connecting ring and provided with means for clamping the felt to the felt connecting ring and a locking cap adapted t0 extend through an aperture in the Wall of the body portion of a respirator and engage with the felt connecting ring to lock the lter element to the body portion of the respirator.

'7. In a respirator, means for attaching a filter element of a. respirator to the body portion, said means including a clamping ring including a felt connecting ring having a hub adapted to extend through an opening in the iilter element and a. lug element adapted to be secured to the felt connecting ring and provided with lugs for clamping the felt to the felt connecting ring and a locking cap adapted to extend through an aperture in the Wall of the body portion of a respirator and engage With the felt connecting ring to lock the filter element to the body portion of the respirator.

8. In a respirator, means for attaching a filter element of a respirator to the body portion, said means including a clamping ring including a felt connecting ring adapted to extend through an opening in the filter element, a lug element adapted to be secured to the felt connecting ring and being provided with lugs for'cla'rnping the filter element, a locking cap adapted to extend through an aperture in the Wall of a body portion on the respirator and engage with the felt connecting ring to lock the lter element to the body portion of a respirator.

9. In a respirator, means for attaching a filter element of a respirator to a body portion, said means including a threaded felt connecting ring with a hub adapted to extend through an opening in the lter element, a lug element provided with lugs for securing the lug element to the felt connecting ring, said lug element also being provided with lugs for clamping the filter element to the felt connecting ring, a flanged threaded locking cap adapted to extend through an aperture in the Wall of the body portion of the respirator and engage with the felt connecting ring to lock the filter element to the body portion of the respirator.

10. In a respirator, means for attaching a filter element of a respirator to the body portion, said means including a threaded felt connecting ring with a hub adapted to extend through an opening in the lter element, a lug element provided With lugs for clamping the felt connecting ring and the filter element, a flanged threaded locking cap adapted to extend through an aperture in the wall of the body portion on the respirator and engage with the threaded felt connecting ring to lock the filter element to the body portion of the respirator.

11. In a respirator, means for attaching the lter element of a respirator to the body portion, said means including a threaded flange ring with a flange adapted to extend through an opening in the filter element, a lug element provided with lugs for clamping the threaded fiange ring and the lter element, a flanged threaded locking cap adapted to extend through an aperture in the wall of the body portion on the respirator and engage with the threaded iiange ring to lock the filter element to the body portion of the respirator.

HARVEY S. COVER. 

